DC04 is the deep drawing quality grade of the EN 10130 family of cold-rolled low-carbon steels and the standard workhorse for parts that are drawn, stretched and reshaped in multi-stage tooling. Its low-carbon chemistry and tightly controlled rolling and annealing give it a combination of softness, ductility and uniform behaviour that simple forming grades cannot match. This article sets out the official grade data, explains what the forming indicators mean in the press shop, and maps the applications that consume the grade.
What the DC04 Designation Means
In the EN 10130 designation system, D indicates a flat product for cold forming, C states that the product is cold rolled, and 04 is the serial number for deep drawing quality. The material number is 1.0338. The designation replaces older national names such as St14 in the DIN system and FeP04 in the old European system, and it is the direct European counterpart of drawing grades in other systems, such as SPCE under JIS G 3141 in Japan. DC04 is suitable for high forming requirements under all types of deformation, from deep drawing and difficult profiling to multi-step stamping.
Chemical Composition of DC04
| Element | Maximum % (EN 10130, heat analysis) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.08 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.030 |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.030 |
The low carbon and manganese ceilings keep the ferrite soft and free of hard second phases, so the sheet yields gradually and work-hardens slowly during deep drawing, which is the physical basis of the grade behaviour.
Mechanical Properties of DC04
| Property (transverse, 0.7-3.0 mm) | Value |
|---|---|
| Yield strength Re (MPa) | 140 - 210 |
| Tensile strength Rm (MPa) | 270 - 350 |
| Elongation A80 (min %) | 38 |
| Plastic strain ratio r90 (min) | 1.6 |
| Strain hardening exponent n90 (min) | 0.18 |
The r90 and n90 values are the deep drawing credentials. The plastic strain ratio r90 measures how much the sheet thins against how much it draws in width: a value above 1.6 means the material prefers to flow rather than thin, which prevents wall splits in a deep cup. The hardening exponent n90 measures how evenly strain distributes: higher values delay local necking and tearing. With these indicators guaranteed, DC04 is a certified deep drawing grade, not just a soft sheet.
DC04 versus DC01, DC03 and DC05
| Grade | Carbon max % | Yield strength MPa | Tensile strength MPa | A80 min % | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC01 | 0.12 | 140 - 280 | 270 - 410 | 28 | Bending, shallow drawing, general stamping |
| DC03 | 0.10 | 140 - 240 | 270 - 370 | 34 | Deep drawing, difficult profiling |
| DC04 | 0.08 | 140 - 210 | 270 - 350 | 38 | Deep drawing, multi-step forming |
| DC05 | 0.06 | 120 - 180 | 270 - 330 | 36 | Extra deep drawing, complex surfaces |
Where DC04 Is Used and How It Is Supplied
DC04 is consumed wherever parts must be formed deeply and reliably: automotive body panels and inner structural parts, appliance housings and liners, kitchenware, drawn containers and precision hardware. It is also a common base material for coated products: when corrosion resistance is required, DC04 can be supplied hot-dip galvanized as DC04+Z under EN 10346 or electro-galvanized as DC04+ZE under EN 10152. In coil form, DC04 is normally available in thicknesses from about 0.35 mm to 3.0 mm, with width and coil weight agreed in the order, and it is delivered with an EN 10204 inspection certificate documenting the heat analysis and mechanical test results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DC04 the same as SPCE? SPCE under JIS G 3141 is the closest Japanese counterpart of DC04, but the two standards differ in detail. Treat SPCE as an equivalent for substitution purposes while verifying the exact property limits required by the drawing.
What is the difference between DC01 and DC04? DC04 has significantly better formability: guaranteed r90 and n90 values, higher minimum elongation (38% versus 28%) and lower yield strength. DC01 suits bending and shallow stamping; DC04 is required for complex deep drawing.
Can DC04 be welded? Yes. The carbon content is low enough for conventional spot, MIG and TIG welding without preheat, and the welded joint retains good ductility for subsequent forming when the process parameters are correct.
What thickness range is covered by EN 10130 DC04? EN 10130 covers cold-rolled flat products from 0.35 mm to 3.0 mm thickness; the mechanical values above apply to the 0.7-3.0 mm range, and mill supply in coil form usually falls within this band.
Does DC04 rust? Bare cold-rolled DC04 has no corrosion protection and must be oiled, painted or otherwise protected. For corrosive service, order the galvanized forms DC04+Z (hot-dip, EN 10346) or DC04+ZE (electro-galvanized, EN 10152).
How is DC04 quality verified at delivery? Check the EN 10204 type 3.1 certificate for heat analysis and mechanical test values, verify the surface quality class agreed in the order, and confirm the r90 and n90 indicators when the part is a certified deep drawing application.